Machine for making wire-and-picket fence



(No Model.) I 8 Shets-Sheet 1. M. F. OONNETT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE AND PIOKET FENCE.

No. 424,276. Patented Mar. 25, 189.0.

N. PETERS. FhfllmLilhogmplwr, Washington. D. Q

2 t e e h q t e e h S 0.07 T m E N N 0 O R M (NO Model.)

MACHINE FORMAKING WIRE AND PI GKET FENGB.

No. 424,276. PatentedMar. 25, 1890."

N- FETERS. Pmln-Lilhugrlghnr. Wilmington. D. C.

(No Model.) s Sheets-Sheet 3.

. M- P- CONNETT,

MAGHINETOR MAKING WIRE A-N'D PIGKET FBNGE. N0, 424,276.

Pate'nt ed Mar. '25. 1890.

N PETERS. PhohrLllhographol. Washington D C,

No-Modem a Sheets--.Sheet 4- M; P. OONNETT. MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE ANDBIGKET FENCE No. 424,276.

Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

n4 PETERS. Pholo-Lil'wgnphlr. Wuhinllell. u r.

(No Model.) a sheets-sneaks.

M. F. GONNETT.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE AND PIGKBT FENCE; A No. 424,276. Patented Mar.25, 1890.

N PETERS. rmommn mr, Wnhlnglcn. me

"(No Model.)

8 Sheets-Sheet 6.

M. F OONNET'T. MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE AND PIOKET FENCE.

. Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

V r I M. r L fi w im r5 w n n W w .qIHw

(No Model.) '8Sheets-Sheet 7.

P, OONNETT. MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE AND PIGKET FENCE.

No. 424,276. Patented Mar. 25', 1890.

8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

M. P. GONNETT. MACHINE FOR MAKING WIRE AND PIGKET FBNGE.

(No Model.)

No. 424,276. Patented Mar. 25, 1890.

N. FEERS, Phnlo'Lilhognphur. Wuhingnn. 0.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MATTHEIV FRANKLIN OONNETT, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR MAKING WlRE-A'ND-PICKET FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,276, dated March25, 1890.

Application filed July 31, 1886. gerial No. 209.649. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, MATTHEW FRANKLIN OONNETT, of Springfield, in thecounty of Sangamon, and in the State of Illinois, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Machines for Making lVire-and- PicketFence; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, andexact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings, in which- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of my machine;Fig. 2, a view of the same in front elevation; Fig. 3, a plan view ofthe machine; Fig. 4, a detail view in rear elevation of thepicketfeeding mechanism, showing in dotted lines a picket as moved fromthe rack into reach of the feed-rolls, and in full lines a picket asthrown out and held in position by the feed-rolls; Fig. 5, a detailsectional view of one of the twisters with a portion of its shaft; Fig.6, a view of the machine in side elevation; Fig. 7, a detail view of themechanism forconnecting the twister-driving shaft with the rack-drivenpinion; Fig. 8, a detail front view of the mechanism for driving thetwister-s; Fig. 9,a plan view of the mechanism for pushing the picketsaway from the twisters between the wires and insuring their properposition; Fig. 10, a

side view of such mechanism; Fig. 1.1,a detail view in elevation of thepivoted support and pusher for the pickets; Fig. 12, a perspective viewof the mechanism for turning the reel to wind up the completed fence,showing the parts as adjusted differently from What they are in Fig. 3;and Fig. 13, a detail perspective View of the reel removed.

Letters of like name and kind refer to like parts in each of thefigures.

The object of my invention is to provide an improvedpicket-and-wire-fence machine; and to this end my invention consists inthe machine and inthe construction, arrangement, and combination ofparts thereof, as hereinafter specified. a

In the drawings, A designates the main driw ing-shaft of my machine,which is to receive power from any desired source or motor, andtransmits it through the gearing and connectin g mechanism (to bedescribed) to the various operative parts of the machine. This shaft isj ournaled in suitable bearings on the frame B 13. Also journalcd inbearings on this frame is the shaft 0, at right angles to shaft A, anddriven therefrom by the bevel-pinion A on the latter shaft meshing withthe corresponding bevel-wheel on shaft 0. On the forward end of shaft 0is fixed the crank-arm O, and on the shaft between its bearings in theframe is the pinion O meshing with and driving the pinion C on shaft 0*,journaled near one end close to its pinion on the frame B B and at theother journaled in a suitable bearing on the frame B B.

On the driving-shaft A is the gear-wheel A preferably a crown-gear, asshown, meshing with the pinion A on the shaft A journaled on frame I 3B, substantially at right angles to the driving-shaft and carrying thesprocket-wheel A for driving a part of the picketor slat feedingmechanism, as hereinafter specified.

Journaled on a stud b on the lower portion of frame B B is the slottedarm D, carrying on its upper end the segmental toothed rack D. Thisstud, as shown in the drawings, is a screw-stud screwed into one of thelower beams of the frame, andthe arm D is held in place thereon by meansof suitable washers bl) on the stud between the arm and the stud-head bon the one side and the arm and a nut b on the other side. I do not,however, intend to limit myself to any particular way of journaling andholding the rack-carrying arm on its pivotal stud, nor to any particularway of or means for journaling the various shafts already described uponthe frames.

The crank-arm C is preferably slotted, as shown, and through the slot 0therein passes the screw-threaded portion of the crank-pin 0 held inplace at any desired adjustment along the crank-arm by the two nuts 0 ctapped on the pin and engaging opposite sides of the arm.

Passing though the slot d in the rack-carrying arm D is the pin (1, alsoscrew-threaded and having screwed on it the two nuts (Z (Z adapted tofasten the pin at any desired adjustment along the arm by engagingopposite sides of said arm at the sides of the slot d, or pressingsuitable washers against such opposite sides of the arm. Connecting pin(1' with cranlcpin G is the connecting rod or bar D pivoted upon pin 0and provided with the slot d engaging pin cl. lVith this construction,while the shaft 0 and crank O are constantly revolving, the arm D, withits segmentrack, is driven alternately in opposite directions, withperiods of rest between its opposite movements. In other words, as thecrank G revolves and throws the slotted connecting rod first in onedirection and then in the other, the rod will slide on pin (1' until oneend of the slot (Z strikes such pin. Further movement of the rod in thesame direction then carries arm D in such direction. On its returnmovement the rod D first moves longitudinally, sliding over pin (1 untilthe opposite end of its slot strikes and moves the pin with the rack inthe direction opposite to that of its previous movement. For thepurposes of description I assume the front of the machine to be the sideopposite to that at which the completed fence is delivered. The rack-armD is then near the front of the machine and swings in a plane parallelto such front.

Journaled in the frame B B, above the segment rack or gear D, is theshaft E, upon which is journaled the pinion E, meshing with the teeth ofrack D and rigidly connected with the disk E carrying the springpawl EFixed to shaft E is the collar E provided with the ratchet tooth ornotch 6, adapted to be engaged by the pawl E when the pinion E andpawl-disk E are revolved forward or in the direction indicated by thearrow in Fig. 6. The shaft E will then be caused to turn with thepinion. Upon shaft E is also fixed the gear-wheel E for the purpose tobe hereinafter described.

Extending across the top of frame B B, above and to the front of wheel Eis a series of gear-wheels G G, each having a hub G journaled in abearing g therefor in the crossbar G of the frame. These wheels areconnected together by the pinions G G between and meshing with them,such pinions being journaled on studs or pivot-bolts g g, attached tobar G. Fixed in and extending through the wheels G G and their hubs arethe twister spindles or shafts H H. At their rear ends ,these spindlesare provided with the fixed heads H H, each one of which has on its-rearside a reduced portion h, journaled in a journal-opening h on thecrossbar H on top of frame B B. On opposite sides of each of thetwister-spindles two lever-arms H H are pivoted in cars h h on the frontside of the head H. These leverarms extend rearward through the head andthe journal-opening in bar H and on their outer sides are provided withthe longitudinal channels or grooves 76 7L2, communicating at the rearends of the arms with inward openings 71 71 The rear ends of thetwisterarms are preferably curved inward toward each other, as shown inthe drawings.

To hold the twister-arms from swinging on their pivots, I provide thelinks h 71 attached at their inner ends to the twister spindle or shaftand at their outer ends connected with the forward ends of the pivotedarms. To make said arms adjustable, so as to bring their rear endscloser together or farther apart, as desired, I slot each of the links hat its and provide each of the arms with a bolt or screw hlpassingthrough the slot in the link. A washer between the outer side of thelink and the head of the screw serves to clamp the link firmly againstthe side of the twister-arm when the screw is screwed inward. The innerends of the links 72,4 7L are preferably attached to the shaft H by apivot pin or stud h to allow slight swinging of the links as thetwisterarms are being adjusted; but this is not at all necessary, as theslots 7L5 7&5 can be made broad enough to allow sufficient play of thebolts on the twister-arms with the links fastened rigidly to the shaft.The middle one of the twister spindles or shafts, of which I show five,is provided with the pinion 7L8, meshing with and driven by thegear-wheel E 011 shaft E, already described. Fewer or more twisters,with their spindles, can of course be used, as desired, and the pinion71 can be placed on any one of the spindles or shafts. \Vith the shaftsgeared together by means of the wheels G G, fixed on them, and thepinions G G between and meshing with such wheels, as the wheel E isturned to drive pinion h the twister-shafts and the twisters will all becaused to revolve together and in the same direction. intervals andalways in the same direction by the mechanism already describedhereinbefore, the twisters are correspondingly revolved intermittinglyand only in one direction. Their .shafts are so geared together by thewheels G G and pinions G G and so connected by gearing with wheel E thatwhen they come to a rest the two arms of each twister stand one abovethe other in a vertical plane passing through the twistershaft. There isthen, when the twisters are at rest, a clear passage-way between thetwister-arms from side to side of the series of twisters, (shown in thedrawings,) through which way a slat or picket can be freely thrown orthrust endwise. Passing through each of the wheels G and its hub G aretwo holes g 9 diametrically opposite to each other and substantiallyopposite to and in the same plane with the rear ends of the twisterarms.Attached to the forward ends of the twister-shafts where they projectthrough the hubs of gear-wheels-G G are the shafts H 11 whose forwardends are journaled in suitable bearings in the cross-bar H. of theframe. This bar I have shown as adjustably supported from the mainportion of frame B B; but I do not limit myself to such construction.

The shafts H H" are shown as made hollow, with their rear ends fittingover and pinned to the ends of the twister shafts or spindles. obviouslybe made solid, with sockets on their endsto receive and be pinned to thespindle ends, or they can be connected with the Instead of being hollow,they can,

As the wheel is only driven at twister spindles or shafts in other ways.Upon rods H H", passing throughor attached to the shafts H H, andextending on opposite sides thereof, are the spools or reels H Hcarrying the wire for twisting. From such spools, being on oppositesides of theshafts, the wires h" h are led rearward through the holes oropenings g 9 through the wheels G G and their hubs, along the grooves inthe outer sides of the twister-arms and inward through the openings 7171 at the rear ends of such arms.

I contemplate providing the wire reels or spools with any desired formof tension device or means for bringing friction to bear upon the spoolsto resist their turning, so as to put the wires as fed from them to thetwisters under proper tension. I11 the drawings I have shown with someof the spools or reels one form of device for producing friction.Between such reels and the twister-shafts I place upon the pivot-rods IIH washers or pieces 71/ h of yielding material-as, for instance, rubber.With this construction, if the reels be forced or drawn inward upon therods H II by nuts or other means, these washers will produce frictionacting against the revolution of the spools,'so as to put the wire asdrawn out under tension.

The rods H II, as shown in the drawings, pass loosely through openingsin shafts Il" H and each one has on one enda head or collar h, adaptedto engage the outer side of one of the reels, and on the othera nut 7i,adapted to engage the outer side of the other reel. WVith thisconstruction, as the nut h on any rod is screwed inward, both reels willbe caused to press against the washers or friction-pieces equally, sothat they will be subjected to equal friction, and the two wires of eachpair will be put under the same tension as they are drawn out throughthe twisters. If one reel tended to press against its friction-piecemore than the other, obviously the pivot-rod H" would be movedlongitudinally through the shaft II" until the pressures became equal.

Instead of the washers or friction-pieces, such as described, betweenthe reels and the shafts II II, spring-washers or friction devices ofvarious forms can be used, as desired.

For automatically feeding the necessary pickets or slats into placebetween the twisterarms, and therefore between the wires running overand from such arms, I have provided the following mechanism: In feedingthe slats into position between the arms it is very desirable that suchslats be thrown accurately and suddenly into place, so that the twistersneed not long stay at rest. Atthe right-hand side of the machine, atright angles to the twister-spindles and in line with the openingsbetween the twister-arms when the twisters are at rest, is the uprightrack I, supported upon a frame extending upward from frame B B. The rackproper, in which the slats or pickets are held piled one upon the other,does not extend to or near the series of twisters. At its inner end isthe plate or piece I, which closes such end, except at the bottom of therack, where an opening is left below the end of the plate sufficient tolet a single slat (the bottom one in the pile) pass inward to thetwisters. Between the rack and the series of twisters two feed-rollers KK are j ournaled, having their upper faces in a plane a little above theplane of the rackbottom, The first of these rollers has upon itsperiphery a series of teeth 76 70. Both of these rollers arecontinuously driven during the operation of the machine by a sprocketchain K running around the sprocket-Wheel A described hereinbefore, andover 'the' sprocket-wheels K and K on the shafts and 7& of the tworollers K and K respectively. To keep such chain under proper tension,Iprovide the tension-roller k engaging it, said roller being pivoted ona stud it, made adjustable in a slot 70 in a plate k on the uprightrack-frame. The shafts k and 7c of the feed-rollers K and K arejournaled in upright plates or standards K K between which the rollersrevolve and which stand at the sides of the way along which the slatsare passed to the twisters. Above the feed-rollers K and K are therollers K and K respectively. Both of these rollers have theirpivot-shafts 7t 7t journaled in upright slots it 7.2 in the plates K K,so that the rollers are free to rise away from or move toward thefeechrollers below them. To draw these upper rollers downward, I provideat each side a yoke L, resting upon the projecting shafts of therollers, and connectwith such yoke a spring L, drawing downward on theyoke. The two yokes thus pressing the roller-shafts down cause therollers to press any slat passing below them down upon the lowerfeed-rollers. A slat projected from the rack between the toothedfeed-roller K and the pressure-roller above, as indicated by dottedlines in Fig. 5*,

will then be gripped firml y between the rollers and carried positivelyforward with a speed equal to that of the periphery of the toothedroller K. Passing over the revolving roller K and between it and thepressure roller above, the slat is carried forward forciblyand quicklyand projected between thetwister-arms'into the position shown in fullroller K is a similar pinion L Pivoted upon the shaft of roller K, onopposite sides of pinion L are the two plates or links L L connectedattheir outer ends by means of a hollow pivot pin or bolt together and tothe lower ends of two parallel plates or links L L", between which andjournaled upon the pivot-pin is the pinion L, meshing with pin-' ion Lso as to be driven thereby. Pivoted Upon the shaft of rollerupon shaft kof the upper roller K, on each sidev of the pinion L thereon, are thetwo plates or links L L like plates L L already described, and connectedby a pivot pin or bolt Z.(shown hollow) with the upper ends of plates LL upon which pivot-pin is journaled between the latter plates the pinionL meshing with pinions L and L WVith this construction the upper rollerK is driven from and with the roller K by means of the pinions L L L andL meshing with each other and always kept in gear by the links, whilesaid upper-roller is free to move from or toward the toothed roller.

.Attached to the frame at its lower end and at its upper end connectedwith the gear-carrying links by means of a bolt Z, passing through thehollow stud connecting links L L and L L is the plate L serving to keepthe pivotal connection of these pairs of links from moving too farvertically.

On the opposite side of the series of twisters from the picket-rack andfeed-rollers and in line therewith is the upright plate M, forming astop for the picket or slat thrown through the twisters by the feeddevices. This stop is so situated with relation to the inner pair offeed-rollers K K that when the picket or slat is at one end in contactwith the stop its other end will still be in contact with or engaged bythe rollers K K as shown in Figs. 5 and 11. The rollers will then keepthe slat from rebounding when it strikes the stop M, and will hold it inplace between the twister-arms until it is moved rearward out frombetween the twister-arms by the devices to be hereinafter described. Toallow of the slat or picket being thus moved bodily rearward, the framein which the feed-rollers are journaled is cut away or left open at M onits rear side, such opening being opposite the space between the twoinner feed-rollers K K T0 feed the bottom slat from the slatrack intoposition to be gripped by the constantly-revolving feed-rollers K K, Iprovide the feed-slide M guided in a way M underneath the rack andsupported in such way upon the pins or bolts on m. On the outer end ofthis slide is pivoted the pawl m, having its lower end weighted, so thatthe pawl tends to stand normally in an upright position, and having itsupper, end adapted to engage the outer end of the lowest slat in therack when the slide stands in its outward po sition, as shown in Fig. 5.The bolt m on the slide serves as a stop to prevent the backwardswinging of the pawl as it engages a slat and is drawn inward. To allowthe inward movement of the pawl with'the'slide, the bottom of the rackis slotted at m as shown in said figure. After the slide and pawl havefed a slat inward and begin to move outward the upper end of the pawlswings readily downward, so as to pass along under the slat now at thebottom of the pile in the rack, as will be readily understood. Toactuate the slide, I provide the rod M connected at one end by means ofthe bolt m with the slide and at the other pivoted to the crank-pin m onthe crank M on shaft 0, already described hereinbefore. This crank isshown as slotted and the crank-pin as adj ustable in the slot toregulate its throw; but such construction is not necessary to myinvention. The crank on the other end of this same shaft serves to drivethe twisters intermittingly through the means of suitable connectinggearing and mechanism, as described hereinbefore. It is easy, therefore,to relatively adjust the times of operation of the twisters and thefeed-slide by fixing the two cranks on the shaft in the proper relativepositions. The crank M is so fixed on the shaft as to begin to draw therod M and slide M inward a short time after the crank O has completedits inward throw to revolve the twisters. This leaves a short space oftime between the stop ping of the twisters and the feeding of the newslat into position between their arms.

Attached to frame B B, below the series of twisters and extendingrearward, are the parallel bars N N, having, preferably, the side ribsor flanges n n on their inner sides. On these bars rests and slides thecross-plate N, having guides n a, engaging the outer sides of the bars NN, so as to keep plate N always at right angles to them as it moves backand forth over them. Attached to said plate on its under side are thesmaller plates n M, having flanges n a engaging the under sides of theribs n n 011 bars N N. Pivoted to the plate N by the pivot-bolt n is thebar N the motion of which on bolt 92 is limited by stops a n on plate N.On top of bar N 2 is fastened the second bar N having opposite thespaces between the twisters the rounded or arched pieces a n preferablymade of sheet-metal bent into the arched form and attached to the bar,as shown. WVhen the plate N and bars N N are in their forward position,as shown in Figs. 4 and 9, and the twisters are at rest, the upper sidesof pieces n a form supports over which the slat or picket slides as itis thrown inward between the twister-arms, and which serve to supportthe slat 'on a level with the openings between the ends of thetwister-arms. As the plate N is moved rearward the slat resting on thesupports a n can be carried with it between and clear of thetwister-arms. Attached to bar N are the upright arms n 01 adapted toengage the rear side of a slat resting on said supports on bar N On thelower side of plate N is the rigid arm 0, which is pro vided with thepivot bolt or pin 0, engaging the slot 0 in the bar 0, which bar ispivotally connected at its forward end with swinging slotted arm orlever 0 This arm is pivoted at its lower end to a bar 0 attached toframe B B. In the slot 0 of the arm plays the crank-pin 0 of the crank Oon the shaft O, described hereinbefore an d driven by suitable gearing(3 C from the same shaft C from which the twister-driving and thefeed-slide- IOC operating mechanisms are driven. With the crankrevolving in the direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2 thecrank-pin travels toward the rear of the machine when it is at itshighest point and toward the front at its lowest position. The arm orlever 0 will then be swung slowlyto the rear and quickly back againtoward the front by the crank-pin, because such pin on its rearwardtravel engages the side of the slot in the arm near the outer end of thelatter and on its forward travel engages it near the pivotal pointof thearm. As the bar 0, actuated by the lever 0 is connected with the plate Nby a slot and pin, as described, the plate N will obviously have periodsof rest at opposite ends of its movements, while the bar 0 moveslongitudinally on the pin 0 until the ends of the slot 0 strike the pin.With the construction described the bar N, forming the carrier to carrythe slats rearward between the wires issuing from the twistenarms, isslowly moved rearward, with a slat resting upon the arched supports a aand engaged at its rear side by the lugs or uprights a 02 until the slatis carried clear of the twister-arms and against the twists made in thewires behind the last previous slat or picket. As the slat emerges frombetween the twister-arms it engages with its rear side the twists in thewires, and, pressing against them, draws the pairs of wires out asufficient amount to inclose the slat when the twists are made. Theoutward or rearward movement of the slat-carrier is made slowly and withgreat power, as the crank-pin is wires from the twisters, if the lathshould be slightly tapering or larger at one end than the other, thewires at one end of the series of twisters will obviously be drawn outfarther than the others. It then this tapering lath or slat be twistedin, even if all straight or regular laths be woven or twisted inafterward, they will all have the same lead, so that they will all beinclined out of a right angle to the lines of twisted wires and thelooks of the fence will be spoiled. here, on the other hand, it isattempted, as heretofore, to pull out the wires by the pullof the reelreeling up the completed fence, a straight fence cannot be insured, asone or a few laths thicker at one end than at the other will cause thewires to run at that end until a lath thicker at the other end causesthe wires to run at that end. As a result we find in a bundle of fencemade by machines using such means of drawing out the wires one lath. orslat leaning one way and the next or a neigh boring one leaning theother. To avoid these objections to machines as heretofore made and usedand insure the making of regular and straight fence under allcircumstances, and even with irregular and tapering slats, I havepivoted my carrier as described, and have also provided the stops PP,against which the rear or outer side of each slat or picket is carriedand firmly pressed by the carrier. lVhere the slat is tapering, thecarrier will swing upon its pivot to compensatefor the taper. Thesestops always maintain the same position with relation to the twisters,so that a line drawn through their forward faces will always be parallelto the line or plane of the rear ends of the series of twisters and atright angles to the wi res issuing from the twisters. Vith the carrierpushing each slat outward squarely against these'stops, as described,the twists in the wires will always be carried forward equally by theouter sides of the slats, and such sides of the slats will all beexactly parallel in the completed fence. l

The stops P P are the'upturned ends of arms P P, pivoted to brackets orarms 1) p on the frame B B. These brackets are slotted, so as to allowof adj ustment of the pivots of the stop-arms toward or from the rear ofthe machine, the pivot-pins p 19 being for this purpose passed throughand adj ustably fastened in the slots 19 19 To raise the stops when aslat is being moved out by the carrier and drop them again when thecarrier is retracted, I provide the opposite ends of the carrier withpins 19 13 which engage and play in slots 19 in the stop levers or armsP P. The outer or rear portion of each of these slots is lower on thearm than the forward portion, and is connected therewith by an inclinedportion 2). lVhile the carrier is retracted the pins 13 19 will be inthe upper portions of the slots, and the stop-arms will then be down, sothat the stops P P are below the level of the rearward travel of theslats on the carrier. As the carrier is moved rearward with a slat, thepins 17 p riding along the slots, will raise the arms to bring the stopsup into position to engage the slat, and will keep them so until thecarrier is retracted again. The arms are then dropped, so as to releasethe slat and allow it to be drawn along by the reel winding up thecompleted fence. To pro perl y guide each slat as it is thrownby thefeed devices in through the twisters and over the rounded supports a aon the carrier, I provide between the twisters the arms R R, attached toand extending rearward fromthe cross-bar 11 in which the twisterheadsare journaled. Each of these arms has a plate R R 011 its under side,turned up at its ends, so as to make a rounded guide for the upper sideof the slat, corresponding with and opposite the rounded supports andguides a n on the carrier. An unobstructed way for the slat is thusfurnished and the slat is guided clear of the twister-arms.

There a reel forreeling up the completed fence is driven positively, itis necessaryto provide some means for compensating for the change indiameter of the roll on the reel, so

IIO

'the pinion and gear-wheel disk.

that the outer periphery of such roll shall al ways travel at the samespeed. It is therefore necessary that the reel should revolve slower andslower as the roll or bundle of fence upon it grows larger. With thisend in view I provide automatic mechanism for adjusting the throw ormotion of the reel-turning device according to the size of the bundle onthe reel. As it is desirable that the reel should not turn except whenthe carrier is moving outward to carry the slat rearward between thewires, I actuate the reel-turning devices from the carrier itself.Pivoted to the bolt or pin 0, to which the carrier-operating bar isconnected, is the link S, pivoted to crank-arm S by the crank-pin Spreferably made adjustable, as shown, in the slot sin the crank. Saidcrank is on the rock-shaft S journaled in suit-able bearings on frame BB On the outer end of this shaft is the crank-arm S, also slot-ted at s,and provided with the crank-pin 8 adj ustably fixed in the slot. Pivotedupon this pin is the connecting rod T, having at its rear end a bolt orpin T, loosely engaging the slot T in the swinging lever T pivoted uponthe stud T on the machine-frame. Upon this stud outside of the lever arejournaled the ratchet-wheel T and the gear-wheel T rigidly attached towheel T as to turn therewith. A pawl T pivoted upon the upper portion oflever T and drawn downward by spring T engages the ratchet-wheel teeth,so as to turn the wheel at each movement of the upper end of the levertoward thefront of the machine. As the carrier moves outward orrearward, the rock-shaft S is, through the link S and the crank-arm S,rocked, so as to carry the crank S rearward. From this crank the lowerend of the pawl-lever T is carried rearward by means of theconnecting-rod and its pin engaging the slot in the lever, so as to movethe upper pawl-carrying end of the lever in the direction to cause thepawl to turn the ratchet and gear wheels, as described above. The reel Uhas the ends of its pivot-shaft U j ournaled in bearings 10 a, fromwhich they can be easily lifted when the reel is to be removed to takeoff a bundle of fence. Pins 10 u can be used,if desired, to hold thejournal ends of the shaft down in their bearings.

To facilitate the removal of the reel when desired, the reel-shaft isonly connected with the driving-gearing described by means of the pinionU fixed on one end of the shaft meshing with the gear-wheel T when theshaft is in its bearings. XVith this construction the reel can, whendesired, be easily removed by lifting it until its shaft ends leavetheir bearings, the reel being, if necessary, allowed to rotate slightlyas it is raised on account of the engagement of the teeth on The throwof the pawl-carrying end of the pawl-lever T can obviously be madegreater or less by moving the end of link or connecting-rod T and thepin T therein nearer to or farther from the pivot of the lever. To causethe link end and pin to move nearer the pivot of the pawl-lever as theroll on the reelincreases in size, I provide the lever V, pivoted to astud e on one of the frame-uprights. This lever at its rear end projectsunder the reel, so as to rest up against any material rolled thereon,and its forward arm is provided with the two pins V V, projectingoutward from its side. These pins engage a slot 11 in the long slottedbar V pivoted at its rear end on the pin T, which is attached to theconnect ing-rod T and plays in the slot in the pawllever T Vith thisconstruction, as a roll of fence gathers upon the reel and increases insize, the end. of lever V engaging the roll is depressed, thus raisingthe forward end of the lever with its pins V V. These pins, engaging theslot in bar V cause it to tilt with lever V, carrying the pin on theconnecting.

rod T down in the slot in pawl-lever T away from the pivot of the lever.The throw of the rod T will then move the lever T a distance less inproportion to the increased distance of the pin from the lever-pivot,and the pawl will revolve the ratchet-wheel and the reel each time anamount inversely proportional to the size of the roll on the reel. Inother words, the rate of revolution of the reelshaft will be diminishedin proportion to the increase in diameter of the roll of fence on thereel. The weight of the forward end of the lever V, the pins V V, andbar V serve to keep that end of the lever pressed downward and the otherend upward toward the reel.

To guide the completed fence from the twisters above the stops when thelatter are depressed and to the reel, I have provided the transverseroller W, j ournaled at its ends in suitable bearings on the frame. Inorder to facilitate the removal of a roll of fence from the reel, saidreel is composed of two heads XV W fixed on the shaft. Of these heads TVis provided with pairs of ears to w on its inner side parallel to radiiof the head, and in these cars are pivoted by. pins or screws w w theends of the longitudinalbars W NV forming the main outer portion of thereel. The other head preferably fixed to the shaft by a set-screw 10 sothat when the screw is loosened the head can be moved longitudinallyupon the shaft, has the sockets 20 w on its inner face, adapted toreceive the ends of the bars W W When the reelis-removed from itsbearings, the screw 20 loos:

ened, and the head W slipped outward off the shaft, disengaging thesockets from the bar ends, the bars will swing inward on their pivots onthe other head, and the roll of fence can be easily slid off the reel. Anotch 10 is provided in each of the ends or heads \V WV of the reel,into which the ends of the end slat or picket in a piece of completedfence coming from the twister-s can be inserted.

The length of the fence being thus connected with the reel, as thelatter revolves itwill Figs. 1, 2, and 3, as the shaft A is turned inthe direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 the feed rolls or wheels will bedriven continuously through the gearing and mechanism described andshown; but no slat will yet be moved inward by them, as all the slatsare in the rack out of reach of the outer pair of wheels. The crank Gwill be swung as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 2, and will draw theslotted pitman or connecting-rod D outward until the farther end of theslot (1 in such rod engages the pin on the segment-rack arm. Such arm isthen drawn outward, turning the pinion E and pawl-carrying disk E on theshaft E. During such turning of the pinion and disk the pawl E ridesover and does not engage the ratchet shoulder or notch on the collar E,fixed to shaft E. While this is going on the crank h is revolved, so asto draw the rod M", with its pawl on, inward to push the bottom slat inthe rack between the two outer revolving feed rollers or wheels. Theteeth on the lower of these wheels grip the slat positively, so that bythe action of such wheel with the others the slat is carried positivelyand quickly through between the arms of the twisters, where it issupported upon the arched pieces on the carrier, as already describedherein. The slatis held longitudinally in. position with its farther endresting against the stop M by the action of the inner pair offeed-wheels still engaging its other end. Through the mechanismdescribed and shown the carrier, with the slat supported thereon, is nowmoved rearward to carry the slat clear of the twisters and against thetwists previously formed in the wires behind the preceding slat. As thecarrier is thus moved rearward with its slat, the stops P P are raisedup in the path of the slat, and said slat is moved squarely againstthem, the carrier swinging a little on'its pivot if the slat istapering, so that the front edge of the slat can bear at or near bothends against the stops. As stated, this arrangement insures that therearward sides of all the slats in the fence as made shall be parallelwhether the slats are straightor tapering. lVhile the slat is thus beingmoved rearward between the wires from the twisters the arm S is, by themechanism connecting it with the carrier, swung rearward, so as to swingthe pawl-lever T and cause the pawl T to turn the ratchet-wheel andreel. The reel being thus turned draws the completed fence rearward fromthe twisters as the new slat is moved out from between the arms of thelatter. The means and mechanism for adj usting the throw of the arm T asthe coil or roll on the reel increases, so as to cause the outerperiphery of such roll or coil to always travel the same distance eachtime the reel is turned, have been set forth at length hereinbefore.While these several operations have been going on the crank G has turnedso as to move the rod or pitman D inward again. Such rod movesindependent of any motion of the segment arm D until the end of the slotin, the rod strikes the pin on the arm. Said arm is then swungback toits original position, again causing, through the engagement of the rackand pinion E, the pawl-carrying disk E to revolve. The pawl on the disknow engages the ratchet notch or tooth on the collar on shaft E andcauses such shaft to revolve with disk E From this shaft the twistersare,

through the connecting-gearing set forth, all

revolved together to twist the wires behind the new slat. The twistersstop each with its two arms in a vertical plane to have passage foranother slat between them. As soon as the twisters stop the carrier isretracted again into position to receive such new slat.

I do not limit myself to the particular forms of gearing and connectingdriving mechanism between the various parts of the machine. Forinstance, the feed wheels or rolls can obviously be continuously drivenby other means than by sprocket-wheel and chain connection with shaft AThe twisters also can be driven by any other desired form of gearing.

The operation of the devices and mechanism for turning the reel andcompensating for the increase in the size of the roll thereon, so as tocause always equal amounts of completed fence to be wound on the reel,is as follows: The

crank-armnS always swings the same distance,

giving the rod or connecting-bar T always the same thro\v.- This throwcan of course be adjusted by setting the crank-pin nearer to or fartherfrom the center ofmovement'of the crank. When this adjustment is made,

howeventhe throw of the rod will remain uniform. As the rod or bar T isconnected with the slotted pawl-lever T by the pin playing loosely inthe slot in the lever, the throw of the upper or pawl-carrying end ofthe lever can obviously be changed as desired by raising or lowering thepin in the-said slot to bring it nearer to or farther from theleverpivot. By moving the pin down in the slot away from the lever-pivotthe lever-arm, acted upon by the connecting rod or'bar T, is obviouslyincreased, so that the upper end of the lever will not be moved so farby the rod. This moving of the connecting-pin away from the center ofmotion of the lever as theroll on the reel increases is automaticallyperformed as follows: As the roll grows larger, the slotted lever V isat its rear end, where it rests against the roll, forced down, so'as toraise its forward end, upon which are the pins of the lever V is forceddown by the increasing roll, the forward end of bar V and the pm orfarther from the pivot of the lever T according as the rear end of leverV is raised or lowered.

I11 practice it is intended to make th e ratchetwheel 'I and the meshingwheels T and U of the same diameter as the reel. The automatic mechanismfor adjusting the throw of l the lever T according to the size of thebundle on the reel can then be easily arranged, so that the pin T on theconnecting-rod T, which engages the slot T in the lever, will, when thereel is empty, be at its point of nearest approach to the pivot of thelever distant from such pivot an amount equal to the radius of the reel.As the bundle on the reel increases, the pin T is moved farther andfarther down in the slot in the lever, the increase in its distance fromthe pivot of the lever being made exactly proportional to the increasein the size of the bundle on the reel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. In afence-machine, in combination with the twisters, slat or picket feedingdevices continuously driven in the same direction, adapted to throw thepickets or slats into proper position with-relation to the twisters,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a fence-machine, in combination with a suitable holder for theslats,'slat-feeding devices continuously driven in the same directionand means for delivering the slats singly from the holder to the feedingdevices, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

3. In a fence-machine, in combination with a feed roller or wheelcontinuously rotating in the same direction, a holder for the slats andmeans for moving a slat or picket from the holder into position to beengaged by the roller, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a fence-machine, in combination with a pair of feed wheels orrollers continuously rotating in the same direction, a holder for theslats and means for moving a slat or picket from the holder intoengagement with such wheels, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

5. In a fence-machine, in combination with the pair of feed-rollers forfeeding a slat to the twisters, means for driving such rollerscontinuously, so that each constantly revolves in one direction,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In combination with a pair of rotating feed wheels or rollerscontinuously rotating in always the same directions and a suitable slator picket holder, means for moving the slats singly from the holder intothe grip of the feed-wheels, substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

7. In combination with a suitable holder for the slats or pickets, thetoothed feedwheel continuously rotating in one direction, the rotatingwheel above the toothed wheel journaled so as to be capable of movementaway from the toothed wheel, spring mechanism pressing it toward suchwheel, and means, substantially as described, for delivering the slatssingly from the holder to these wheels, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

8. In combination with the two lower feedwheels, the two' correspondingupper feedwheels journaled so as to be capable of movement away from thelower wheels, the yokes engaging the shafts of the upper wheels, andsprings drawing such rollers downward, substantially as and for thepurpose shown.

9. In combination with the stop for the slat as it is placed in positionto be operated upon by the machine, the feed devices adapted to move theslat endwise against such stop, and so situated as to engage the end ofthe slat opposite to the stop when the slat is in contact with thelatter, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

10. In a fence-machine, in combination with the stop for the slat as thelatter is thrown into position to be operated upon, feed wheels orrollers adapted to throw the slat into such position against the stop,and so situated asto still engage the slat end while its other end isengaged by the stop, substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In afence-inachine, in combination with the slat-stop, the twofeed-wheels, the lower one driven by suitable mechanism and the upperone journaled so as to yield away from the lower one, both wheels beingso situated with relation to the stop as to engage one end of a slatwhile its other end engages the stop, substantially as and for thepurpose specified.

12. In combination with the rack for holding the slats, a reciprocatingslide and a pawl on the slide adapted to engage one of the slats in theholder, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

13. In combination with the slat-rack, the reciprocating slide below thesame provided with means for engaging the bottom slat in the rack andmoving it along out of the rack as the slide moves in one direction,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. In combination with the slat-holding rack, the reciprocating slidebelow the same and the pawl pivoted on the outer end of the slide, so asto engage the end of the lowest slat in the rack when the slide has beenmoved outward and is drawn back inward, substantially as an d for thepurpose described.

15. In combination with the slat-holding rack, the reciprocating slidebelow thesame and the pawl pivoted on the slide, so as to engage theouter end of the bottom slat in the rack and be rigid as the slide movesalong in one direction and to yield and swing down under the next slatas theslideis moved back again, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

16. In combination with the slat-rack, the

slide, the pivoted weighted pawl, and a stop for the'pawl on the slideto limit its swing in one direction, substantially as and for thepurpose shown.

17. In combination with the slat-rack and the feed devices at one endthereof continuously moving in one direction, means for moving one slatat a time from the rack to such feed devices, substantially as and forthe purpose set forth.

, 18. In combination with the series of twisters, the carrier adapted toreceive a slat as it is thrust in between the twister-arms, providedwith rounded projections or pieces adapted to guide and hold the slatout of contact with the lower arms of the twisters, and the series ofrounded guides above the carrier adapted arms of the twisters,substantially as and for. ,the purpose shown.

20. In a fence-machine, a carrier for receiving a slat and carrying itbetween the wires, pivoted so asto be adapted to swing in the plane inwhich the slat lies to adapt itself to the line of the slat side, incombination with stops against which the slat is carried, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

21. In afence-machine, in combination with the carrier for carrying theslats out from the twisters between the wires, pivoted so as to becapable of swinging in or parallel to the plane of a slat resting uponit, provided with suitable lugs or projections to engage the slatresting upon it, the stops against which the slat is moved by thecarrier, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

22. In afenoe-machine, in combination with the stops against which theslats are carried, the slat-carrier for carrying the slats out betweenthe wires from the twisters and against the stops, pivoted so as to becapable of swinging to adjust itself to the position of the slat upon itand provided with lugs to engage such slat, and means for moving thecarrier to and from the stops, substantially as and for the purposeshown.

23. In combination with the carrier provided at each end with a pin, thepivoted arms provided with upturned ends adapted to act as stops for aslat on the carrier when the arms are raised, and with slots engaged bythe pins, so as to cause the arms to rise as the carrier moves outward,substantially as and for the purpose set forth. V

24. 11; combination with the carrier and the pins on its ends, thepivoted arms having up turned ends and provided with the slots 19 19engaged by the pins, substantially as and for the purpose described. p

25. In combination with the carrier and the pins thereon, the pivotedstop-arms havingthe upturned ends and each provided with a slot engagedby oneof the pins on the carrier, such slot consisting of the upper andlower portions near the pivotal and outer ends of the arm, respectively,and the inclined portion connecting suchother portions of the slot,substantially as and for the purpose specified. i

26. In combination with suitable supporting-guides, a bar, means formoving thebar on the guides, and-the slat-carrier pivoted to such bar,substantially as and for the purpose shown. p

27. In combination with the bar and mechanism for moving it toward andfrom the series of twisters, the carrier pivoted upon such bar andprovided with arms or lugs to engage the slat resting on and carried byit, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. V r

28. In combination with suitable guiderails and the bar sliding thereon,provided with guides to engage the rails, the carrier pivoted to suchbar and provided with slatengaging arms or lugs and the stops forlimiting the swing of the carrier, substantially as and for the purposedescribed.

29 In a fenceanachine, in combination with slats as they are carriedoutward, means for raising the stops up into the track of the slats.head thereon, the bars, the pivotal connections between such bars andthe head, the second'head made movable along the shaft, provided withsockets for the bar ends, and means for fixing the head to the shaft asdesired, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

31. In combination with the lfldlCl'lGli-Whfil and means for driving it,the gear-wheel connected therewith, so as to turn with it, thereel-shaft, and the pinion on the shaft meshing with and driven by saidgear-wheel, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

32. In combination with the reel and the slotted lever, pawl-and-ratohetmechanism and connecting-gearing whereby the reel is caused to rotate asthe lever is swung on its ivot a reci rocatin rod rovided with a pinengaging the slot in the lever, and a lever adapted to engage the rollof material on the reel, and connections between this lever and the pinon the reciprocating rod, whereby the the stops for engaging the outersides of the vIIO pin is moved farther from the pivot of the slottedlever as the roll of'material on the reel increases in size,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

33. In combination with the reel and the slotted lever for driving thereel, connecting mechanism between the reel and the lever whereby thereel is driven as the lever swings,

the pitman-rod provided with a pin engaging or arms 'on the other arm ofthe lever, the

bar provided with a slot engaging such pins, the slotted reel-drivinglever, suitable connecting-gearing between the latter and the reel, thepitman=rod, and the pin on the same engaging the slot in thereel-driving lever and attached to the slotted bar, substantially as andfor the purpose set forth.

35. In a fence-machine, the reel for coiling up the completed fence,having the two heads on its shaft, the bars between such heads, and thenotches in the heads to receive the end slat or picket in the fence,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

36. In a fence'machine, the reel for rolling up the completed fence,having notches in its ends to receive the end slat in the fence,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

37. In combination with the reciprocating slat-carrier and the reel, thearm or lug moving with the carrier, the rock-shaft provided with the twocranks, the rod connecting said lug with one of these cranks, thepitman-rod connected with the other, the lever connected with the otherend of such rod, and suitable connecting mechanism between this leverand the reel-shaft for driving the reel, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

38. In combination with the slat or picket carrier for carrying theslats out between the wires, the swinging slotted arm, the pitmanrodconnected with the arm and carrier, the rotary shaft, and the crankon'the shaft provided with a pin engaging the slot in the swinging arm,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

39. In combination with the slat-carrier, the swinging slotted armconnected with the carrier by suitable connections, so as to actuate thesame as the arm swings, the crankarm provided with a pin engaging theslot in the swinging arm, and the rotary shaft carrying the crank-armrotating in such direction that the crank-pin is farthest from the pivotof the swinging arm as it moves such arm to move the carrier outward,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

40. In combination with the arms carrying the stops for engaging theslats carried out between the wires, the slotted brackets, thepivot-pins for the arms passing through the slots in the brackets, andmeans for fastening the pins at any desired adjustment along the slots,substantially as and for the purpose described.

41. In combination with the twisting mechanism of a fence-machine, aswing-arm carrying a rack, connecting-gearing between the rack and thetwister mechanism, apin on the rack-arm, a crank on a driving shaft, apitman pivotally connected with the crank and having a longitudinal slotengaging the pin on the rack-arm, so as to allow motion of the pitmanindependent of the rack-arm until the ends of the slot engage the pin,substantially as and for the purpose described.

42. In combination with the driving-crank, the pitman pivoted on thecrank-pin and pro vided with a slot, the swinging rack-carrying arm, thepin on the arm engaging the slot in the pitman, the shaft, the pinion journaled on the shaft, clutch mechanism for rigidly connecting thepinion with the shaft as the pinion rotates in one direction only, thegearwheel fixed on the shaft, the twisters geared together, and thepinion on the shaft of one of the twisters, substantially as and for thepurpose shown.

43. In combination with a twister shaft or spindle, the gear-Wheel fixedthereon, provided with a hub and with openings for the passage of thewires, the twister-head fixed on the shaft and provided with a reducedportion or hub, the twister-arms carried by this head, and suitablebearings in which are journaled the hubs on the gear-wheel and head,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

44. In combination with the series of twisterspindles, the gear-wheelsfixed on the spindles, having hubs and openings forthe passage of thewires, the heads on the spindles provided with hubs and with openingsfor the passage of the wires, the twister-arms carried by these heads,and suitable journal-bearings for the hubs on the heads and gear-wheels,substantially as and for the purpose shown.

t5. Incombination with the twister-head, the two arms pivoted in andpassing through the head, provided with suitable guides for the wires,substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

46. In a twister, in combination with the twister spindle or shaft andthe head thereon, the arms pivoted in and extending through the head,and links or bars connecting the ends of the arms opposite to those atwhich the twist is made with the spindle, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

47. In combination with the twister-shaft and the head thereon, thetwistenarms pivoted in and passing through the head, made adjustable, soas to bring their twisting ends near together or farther apart, asdesired, substantially as and for the purpose shown.

48. In combination with the twister-shaft and-the head thereon, thetwister-arms pivoted. in the head and adjustable connectingthetwister-arms, substantially as anclfor the 10 purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this26th day of June, A. D. 1886.

MATTHEW FRANKLIN CONNETT.

Witnesses:

I. K. BRADLEY, S. HAMMENBAUGH.

